Bars Archives | Rum Therapy

June 22, 2017July 2, 2019

10 Great Bars You May Not Have Heard of in the BVI

The British Virgin Islands are a sailors paradise and well, face it, sailors are a thirsty bunch. The main islands in the BVI chain are dotted with great bars, some that have become incredibly well known, such as the Soggy Dollar Bar, Bomba Shack, Foxy’s and Willie T’s, but there are dozens of bars that are perhaps not on everyone’s radar, but definitely worth a visit. We don’t know about you, but we’ve made it our mission to check out as many bars in the BVI as possible and here are 10 great bars you may not have heard of in the BVI, but are probably worth putting on your “list”!

Cooper Island Rum Bar, Cooper Island
With over 100 rums to choose from, the Cooper Island Rum Bar boasts the largest selection of rum in the Virgin Island. Order a sampler board and enjoy the variety while learning the origin and history of each rum.

Hog Heaven, Virgin Gorda
Far from one of the beautiful Virgin Gorda beaches, but with a view that will take your breath away, Hog Heaven sits high on a hill over looking the magnificent North Sound. The BBQ is terrific and you should wash it down with a Blondie Special (named after the owner) or a tasty Rum Punch.

CocoMaya, Virgin Gorda
CocoMaya, a newer restaurant/bar on Virgin Gorda is not far from Spanish Town. On a pretty beach with fantastic sunset views, enjoy your favorite cocktail on a comfortable lounge bed in the glow of a fire pit in the sand. (BTW – the sushi is excellent as well!)

The Sandbox Bar & Grill, Prickly Pear Island
Prickly Pear Island, located close to Saba Rock in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda, is a smaller island that was declared a BVI National Park in 1988 – so no additional development will be permitted. Sandbox Bar & Grill sits on pretty Vixen Beach, on the islands southwestern point. The small bar is nothing fancy, but it’s good place to enjoy a beer or a Rum Punch while enjoying the sun and activity in North Sound. If you’re feeling energetic, take the hiking path over the hill to explore the salt ponds and several other pretty beaches.

B-Line Beach Bar, Little Jost Van Dyke
If you’re heading to the east end of Jost Van Dyke (Bubbly Pool, Foxy’s Taboo) from Sandy Cay or Sandy Spit, you may catch a glimpse of a secluded little bar on Little Jost called, the B-Line Beach Bar. You won’t find large crowds and loud music here, but you’ll find a place to unwind and relax amidst the palms. Be sure to try their signature drink, the Passion Confusion.

Hendo’s Hideout, Jost Van Dyke
The new bar on the block, this really pretty bar/restaurant has a prime location right next to the Soggy Dollar. Sip on a Delirious Donkey while gazing out at spectacular White Bay, or lounge in the sun in one of their oversized hammocks.

Pirates Bight, Norman Island
If you’ve been to the Willie T, chances are you’ve at least seen Pirates Bight sitting on the pretty beach at Norman Island. The original Pirate’s Bight burned to the ground in a fire in 2013, but has been re-built and is nicer than ever. Order a delicious Day at the Beach (cocktail) and a Chicken Roti. Prices aren’t cheap, but the taste is amazing!

Anegada Reef Hotel, Anegada
You may be familiar with Cow Weck Beach Bar & Grill and the Big Bamboo at Loblolly, but be sure to stop at the bar on the beach at Anegada Reef Hotel in Setting Point, Anegada. Try a Rum Smoothie with your toes in the sand and a spectacular sunset at one of the prettiest islands in the Caribbean.

Harris’ Place, Jost Van Dyke
Probably known more as a restaurant than a bar, we had to add Harris’ Place to the list as we enjoyed one of the best Bushwacker’s we’ve had, crafted by the owner herself, Cynthia Harris. Sit at the edge of the water and enjoy a beverage and conversation with other sailors and if you’re there long enough, you might as well stay to enjoy a succulent lobster dinner in season.

Jumbie’s, Virgin Gorda
Belly up to the bar to enjoy a $4 Rum Punch at Happy Hour or try to catch a Michael Beans Pirate Show (in season). Fun atmosphere, good drinks and, if you’re hungry, some delicious food served at the water’s edge.

Who’s ready to go back to the BVI? Have you been to any of these BVI Bars? Tell us about it!

Other BVI Posts that you may enjoy:

Barhopping on Jost Van Dyke

What to See and Do in Cane Garden Bay

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

November 8, 2015September 25, 2019

New Bar on the Block, White Bay, JVD

Thanks to FB friend Amber for an update on the new bar on White Bay. The name is apparently Hendo’s Hideout and on their new website, they say “While White Bay is world-renowned for its casual beachside charm and party atmosphere, Hendo’s seeks to bring something a little different to the beach. COMING SOON…January 2016. Come see what the buzz is all about!” They have a new Facebook page too, although there’s not much on it yet. If you happen to be in White Bay in January, give us an update!

A few days ago while enjoying another beautiful day on Jost Van Dyke, we made the trek over the hill from Ivan’s to the beach (and bars!) on the other side of White Bay. As we approached Soggy Dollar, something immediately caught our eye.

There’s a new bar being built on White Bay.

The new building sits very close to Soggy Dollar and is fenced off now during construction.

We were unable to glean any info on the name or type of bar it will be, just that it is a new bar, but it sits right on a prime piece of beautiful White Bay, just like the other great bars on the beach on this island filled with legendary beach bars.

Do you know anything about the new bar? If so, let us know!

How do you feel about another bar on White Bay?

Find White Bay on our Jost Van Dyke Map

To see more island posts, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

June 16, 2014August 4, 2021

10 Things You Really Should Experience While in Jamaica

One of the largest islands in the Caribbean, Jamaica has something to offer just about everyone. From its beautiful beaches to its lush green mountains, travelers to Jamaica can find a variety of things to see and do. Although experiencing all of Jamaica could take quite a long time, if you’re only there for a short vacation, there are a few things that you just shouldn’t miss and in our opinion, these are a few of them.

Eats:
Jamaica has a wide variety of cuisine choices from traditional Jamaican fare to modern plates, but there are a few dishes we think you should search for:

copyright Rum Therapy — Steamed Snapper and Shrimp

1. Fresh fish and seafood
From Red Snapper, Lobster, Shrimp, Conch, Eel, and Squid to Shark you can find savory choices that are grilled, steamed, roasted or prepared ala escovitch. The savory tastes are something you won’t soon forget. One of the places best known in Jamaica for seafood is Little Ochie, located on the islands south coast.

2. Jerk
A style of cooking native to Jamaica. Traditionally, jerk seasoning (a mixture of Scotch Bonnet peppers and allspice and can also include other spices such as nutmeg, thyme, garlic, cloves or cinnamon) is dry-rubbed or marinated on chicken and pork. Today you can also find the seasoning used on dishes such as fish , beef and lamb. You can find jerk seasoned dishes in most restaurants in Jamaica, and Scotchies with 3 locations in Jamaica is known as a good place to try some authentic jerk. Try this recipe for Jamaican Jerk Chicken!

3. Fruit
Jamaica is a beautiful and fertile island and in addition to some of the better known tropical fruits such as banana, papaya, mango and pomegranate, the island bountifully grows such interesting fruits as ackee (the national fruit of Jamaica and can be poisonous until it ripens), breadfruit, sorrel, soursop, stinking toe, naseberry, jackfruit, hog plum and mammy.

Fresh fruit stands and local vendors can be found selling their freshly picked goods and will even tell you how to prepare the fruits or look for many of them in local restaurants.

Another Jamaican staple that we enjoyed during our visit was Jamaican Jerk Patties. Try this recipe for Jamaican Beef Patties!

Drinks:
You’ve got to have something to wash all of that wonderful Jamaican food down with and here are a few very good choices.

4. Rum
Rum. Yum. Home of some of the best rums in the Caribbean, be sure to sample any of the local rums – some of which can stand on their own (Appleton Reserve, 12 and 21 Year) and others that are best in a mixed cocktail (Wray and Nephew Overproof). If you’re a fan of rum cream, be sure to enjoy some Sangster’s Jamaican Rum Cream. Heck, you might want to bring home a bottle too.

Try this recipe for an Authentic Rum Punch!

And – if you’re a real fan of Appleton Estate Rums, or rum in general, you might want to consider a tour of the Appleton Rum Factory. The estate is not easy to get to, but you get to see the beautiful Jamaican countryside on the way along with fields and fields of sugarcane – and you get to sample many of the rums in the Appleton Estate Family.

5. Blue Mountain Coffee
Grown at 5,500 feet about sea level in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, the coffee beans grown for Blue Mountain Coffee are nurtured by a constant mist and nutrient dense soil. The coffee is rich and smooth and is served in many Jamaican establishments, including resorts and hotels. You can also buy beans in local shops to take home.

6. Seven Mile Beach
Jamaica is a large island and known for beautiful beaches. If you only have the time to see one beach while in Jamaica, you should consider Seven Mile Beach in Negril. Yes, Seven Mile Beach is dotted with hotels, bars, restaurants and sometimes has a good amount of beach “vendors” who try to sell you everything from jewelry to fruits (and other crops), to services such as parasailing, but most times a polite “no thank you” will do if you are not interested.

Seven Mile Beach is, however, nearly seven miles of soft, white sand with crystal clear, calm water that can enjoyed while walking, wading, swimming, floating, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Seven miles of beautiful.

7. Live Music
Most of us are well aware of the reggae roots in Jamaica, but Jamaicans have been a powerful source of other types of World Music as well. Although many of the resorts offer live music events and some restaurants and bars as well such as Alfred’s in Negril, be sure to watch for any festivals and street dances that may give you the opportunity to experience live roots, jazz, blues, dub, folk, and more.

8. Waterfalls
With lots of moisture and mountains, you’re bound to get some waterfalls and Jamaica has several great ones to explore. Dunn’s River Falls, close to Ocho Rios, is the most popular waterfall in Jamaica and can get quite busy with cruise shop excursions – so, if you have the time, you might want to wander a little further to YS Falls or Mayfield Falls to experience the beauty without the crowds.

9. Bars
You’ve heard of some of Rick’s Cafe and Floyd’s Pelican Bar and the Margaritaville’s in Negril, Ocho and Mo Bay, but don’t overlook some of the great local and not so famous bars in Jamaica that are great places to mingle with the locals as well and other tourists and perhaps get a taste of the real Jamaica. Find them on many of the beaches or in some of the smaller towns you may pass through.

10. All-Inclusive Resorts
Some people absolutely love the all-inclusive vacation concept and if you’re one of them, Jamaica is one of the islands that excel in All-Inclusive Resort offerings such as Jewel Runaway Bay. From opulent to budget minded, there are resorts geared to make your vacation as stress free as possible by including food, beverages and watersports in your accommodation packages.

Enjoy your Jamaican Vacation!

To see more posts on Jamaica and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

February 11, 2014January 15, 2020

The Last Resort, Bellamy Cay, BVI

The Last Resort, a great little restaurant and bar on Bellamy Cay, a small island in Trellis Bay, Beef Island, has been serving up great entertainment along with tasty drinks and food since the ’70’s.

(Update: The Last Resort was destroyed by the hurricanes of 2017 and as of the date of this update, has not been re-built. We haven’t heard if the owner’s plan to re-build or not, but will be sure to update this post with any current information as we receive it.)

The Last Resort has quite an interesting past. Tony Snell was a British Flight Lieutenant who, in 1943 was shot down in his Spitfire and escaped a German firing squad. After the war, he worked as an actor, songwriter and musician. In 1969, Tony and his wife Jackie moved to the British Virgin Islands where they eventually opened the original “Last Resort” on Little Jost. After just one year, The Last Resort on Little Jost burned to the ground. Tony and Jackie decided to move The Last Resort to Bellamy Cay, which, in itself, had quite a history – of pirates! While living in a houseboat in Trellis Bay, they constructed a new restaurant on Bellamy Cay.

When The Last Resort opened, Tony was in his element providing all of the entertainment with piano, guitar, harmonica and original songs. Jackie, took the roll of main cook. There are stories – some of which are a bit unbelievable, but good stories nonetheless, of the many animals the Snell family kept on the little island, including parrots, a singing dog and wine and rum drinking donkeys! After a number of years, Tony and Jackie passed the reins to their children, Jessica and Jeremy.

The Last Resort in 2006 with a donkey named Chocolate

In past visits to The Last Resort we’ve had a blast.

Recently we enjoyed a great dinner with friends on the deck and then partook in some raucous entertainment with Al Broderick, aka, the Singing Chef, who successfully plied the audience with free shots to encourage participation. It worked.

Customers singing for shots at The Last Resort

We finished off the evening with a pretty intense Foosball competition.

Thankful we once again had a designated dinghy driver, we made our way back to our boat moored in Trellis Bay still singing and laughing after a great night of fun.

Apparently, The Last Resort has recently changed hands to a young couple by the name of Emily & Dylan Burill. They are hoping to make the resort a bit more family friendly and have changed the menu and decor a bit. We’ve not been there under the new ownership yet, but the recent Last Resort reviews seem to be positive! Have you been to the Last Resort and met Emily and Dylan?

Get to The Last Resort by dinghy if staying on a boat in Trellis Bay, or call for the ferry from Trellis Bay Dock opposite D’ Best Cup Cafe.

To see more posts on Tortola and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory.

All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

January 31, 2014June 5, 2019

What to See and Do in Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Whether arriving by cruise ship or spending time on the island on St. Maarten/St. Martin, Philipsburg, the capital of Dutch St. Maarten, offers a ton of fun things to see and do, most within view of the gorgeous blue water of Great Bay.

Philipsburg is an area of only a few streets sandwiched between the Salt Pond and beautiful Great Bay. There are many shops, bars, restaurants and musicians lining the streets. Do you like to shop? You can find a lot of items in Philipsburg from inexpensive souvenirs to diamonds and watches. Want to find something to eat? There are a variety of options ranging from very casual to elegant and tony. Any good bars? Well, of course! The boardwalk especially is dotted with bars with a wide variety of great tropical concoctions.

With the ability to dock 6+ large cruise liners and the addition in recent years of a wonderful boardwalk that is about 50 ft. wide and nearly as long as the waterfront of Great Bay, Philipsburg really caters to it’s visitors. From the cruise ships you can either walk down a lovely palm lined path or take a short water taxi ride to town. If staying on island, there are several fairly large parking lots.

Looking for a few ideas of what to see and do while visiting Philipsburg? These are a few things that we’ve enjoyed during our visits there.

1. The Beach

Although it can be just as busy as many of the other beautiful beaches in St. Maarten/St.Martin, Great Bay has gorgeous blue water, a calm surf and a variety of places to rent beach chairs and umbrellas. Plus you’re really close to some good bars, restaurants and shops when you need a break from the sun.

The turquoise blue water of Great Bay.

2. Eat & Drink

The majority of bars and restaurants line the boardwalk and offer a great view of the beach, surrounding hills and cruise ships. Each have their own tropical specialties.

Boardwalk Breeze at the Blue Bitch Bar

Pizza at Taloula Mango’s

Grab a $.99 beer at the Barefoot Bar to enjoy while walking the Boardwalk. The Barefoot Restaurant also serves up some excellent roti – mmm…roti…

Enjoy some good food and drink at Big Wood Grill on the Boardwalk, but don’t ask for a BBD if you are easily offended!

Walk through Big Wood Grill to get to Juggie’s Place, The Smallest Bar in the World!

Juggie’s Place on Front Street behind Big Wood Grill

Casual dining right on the beach at Chez Delphine

Stop, buy a cold drink and chat with some of the local vendors on the Boardwalk.

3. Shop

Front street and the connecting streets between the Boardwalk, Front and Back street have a large variety of shops carrying local crafts, souvenirs, liquor and more expensive items.

There are several liquor stores that carry a good selection of rums that we can’t find at home, so we usually buy a bottle or two to bring back with us.

And of course, be sure to stop at the Guavaberry Emporium on Front Street to sample different guavaberry rums, liquors and hot sauces. Be sure to try a Guavaberry Colada – so refreshing!

Direction sign next to the Guavaberry Emporium

So there you have it. Some of the things we’ve experienced and enjoyed during our visits to Philpsburg – so far. What have you enjoyed there?

To see more posts on St. Maarten/St. Martin and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

November 26, 2013May 29, 2019

Rick’s Cafe, Negril, Jamaica

One of the best known bars in Jamaica, Rick’s Cafe, is known for it’s fantastic Jamaican sunsets as well as the very brave young men that dive from great heights into the clear, blue water below.

Apparently visitors can also hurtle themselves off of the cliffs if they wish, and this resulted in numerous belly and back-flops, swimsuit malfunctions and awkward flailing mid-air while we were there. Thankfully, to jump, you must pass the guard at the top of the visitor jumping area and while we were there, he appeared to be screening people and allowing only those that didn’t appear too intoxicated or frightened to make the long jump.

Despite the screening, I have heard that there have been some serious injuries to visitors, making us quite content to watch the show and not jump ourselves!

As the sun began to set and the diving waned, people began making their way to the bar and the outdoor stage.

We found a table at the edge of the cliff and ordered a Red Stripe.

As the band played, we enjoyed yet another beautiful Jamaican sunset…

To find out more, visit Rick’s Cafe website, and find Rick’s on our Jamaica Map

To see more posts on Jamaica and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2013
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

June 12, 2013April 19, 2021

Jack’s Bar, Bequia

Located on Princess Margaret Beach in Bequia, The Grenadines, Jack’s Bar is a great place to stop to enjoy a cold one with a beautiful beach and ocean view.

Jack’s from the beach

Princess Margaret Beach

Great view of Admiralty Bay and Princess Margaret Beach

Enjoy a Rum Punch or one of many other tasty rum cocktails they offer,

Or sample the local beer, Hairoun.

Serving lunch and dinner and if you’re there on Tuesday, you might want to try out the Tuesday Night Beach BBQ with live music.

Find out more on the Jack’s Bar Facebook Page.

To see more posts on St. Vincent and the Grenadines and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC. All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

June 5, 2013June 6, 2019

Big Kahuna Rum Shack

Big Kahuna Rum Shack, a bar with funky beach and surf decor is located right on the downtown waterfront in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.

Big Kahuna is a great place to stop and cool off after a day of shopping or exploring Charlotte Amalie.

Choose from a selection of a rums,

Ice cold beer,

or a variety of cold or frozen island drinks.

We tried a Frozen Rum Runner with a Float the Boat – an extra shot of rum for a buck.

In addition, Big Kahuna offers a good selection of eats as well as their exclusive and homemade Love Juice – an infusion of blueberries, strawberries and pineapple in vodka, that they “promise” will be the best shot or drink you’ve ever tried.

Order a cold one and sit on the patio under an umbrella while watching the activity in beautiful Charlotte Amalie Harbor. We’ll be back Big Kahuna and next time we’ll have to give that Love Juice a try…

Find Big Kahuna Rum Shack on our St. Thomas Map

To see more posts on St. Thomas and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2013
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

June 3, 2013June 5, 2019

Rum Therapy On St. John

Although the smallest of the three US Virgin Islands, St. John has a tremendous amount of things to do and see, or plenty of space to stretch out and do nothing at all, if that’s what you’re looking for!

During a recent visit, we took an early morning car ferry from Red Hook, St. Thomas to St. John. The car ferry is a good option if you’ve rented a car on St. Thomas and have plenty of time – just check with your car rental company to make sure they allow it.

Car Ferry from Red Hook, St. Thomas to St. John

Lovely Cruz Bay, St. John. Cruz Bay is where the ferries arrive and depart.

Right off of the passenger ferry dock you’ll find a number of great beach bars and fun stores. During this trip, we made a stop at St. John Spice (upper level) and Bones Rum (1st level).

Take a hike down the beach and stop for a drink at:

High Tide

Joe’s Rum Hut, or

The Beach Bar.

Cruz Bay has a lot of other great restaurant, bar and shopping options – there’s literally something for everyone. We headed up the hill on 20 toward the north side beaches and stopped at the Cruz Bay overlook for a pic.

Then took a hike down through the forest to check out Salomon (Solomon) Bay and Honeymoon Beach.

Salomon (Solomon) Bay

Honeymoon Beach

We continued on 20 past Caneel Bay

And stopped at Hawksnest Bay Beach to lounge in the water for a while

Climbed Peace Hill to check out the ruins and the gorgeous views…

Then lingered for a while at the popular Trunk Bay Overlook for a picture of the spectacular bay.

Trunk Bay

And snorkeled at the Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail

Stopped at Cinnamon Bay to put our toes in the sand

Checked out beautiful Maho Bay for the first time

And peaceful Francis Bay.

We took our time looking around Coral Bay.

Enjoying a very tasty Jazz Brunch at Miss Lucy’s

and later an extremely tasty hamburger and rum drinks at Skinny Legs.

We hiked the Salt Pond Trail to Drunk Bay

to check out some interesting coral sculptures that other visitors have created…

And took one last chance to wade in the clear, blue water of Salt Pond Bay. Reluctantly, we headed back to the ferry, a bit more tan and a lot more relaxed…

There you have it. A few of our favorite experiences from our last (much too short) visit to St. John. We’ll most certainly be going back, so, what have we missed? What are your favorite things to see and do on St. John?

To see other posts on St. John and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2013
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

May 22, 2013June 5, 2019

Guy’s Driftwood Boat Bar, St. Maarten

Many of you have already visited, or at least heard of Sunset Bar and Grill on Maho Beach in St. Maarten, but did you know there’s another fun bar at the other end of Maho? It’s called Guy’s Driftwood Boat Bar, and yes, as the name implies, the bar is a boat.

A little quieter than its neighbor down the beach, Guy’s Driftwood Boat Bar is a great place to relax, enjoy some reasonably priced beverages and stare out at the gorgeous blue water of Maho Bay.

Order a $2 beer or a rum concoction and sit at the boat bar, or grab a seat at one of the picnic tables.

Or lounge in a beach chair overlooking the water.

Wherever you sit, you’ll be treated to a great view of Maho Beach and airplanes landing at the airport just behind the boat bar full of lucky vacationers getting ready to start their next tropical adventure!

Find Guy’s Driftwood Boat Bar on our St. Maarten/St. Martin Map

To see more posts on St. Maarten and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2013
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC